The Election Commission (EC) has opposed the draft charter provision to allow political groups to register to run in elections.
According to EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, the Constitution Drafting Committee’s (CDC) decision to permit members of political groups to run for House of Representatives seats could lead to political unrest.
“Allowing members of political groups into the House of Representatives will have serious consequences,” Mr Somchai said.
There is a risk that such individuals could be bought or controlled by influential politicians, he said.
Mr Somchai said he fears there could be power plays in the lower House to gain group members’ loyalty and dominate important decisions in parliament.
Although he understood the idea that giving independent groups House seats would curb the influence of large political parties in parliament and therefore balance out their political power, he doubted this would be achievable.
“These large political parties won’t give up their authority easily,” he added.
Apart from the issue of political groups, the EC voiced concern over the Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMP) system and the open-list method, where candidates of the same party compete for a seat in the party list election.
While some provisions in the draft charter the EC has issues with are technical and can be solved without much difficulty, the potential entry of political groups to parliament poses a threat to the country’s politics, Mr Somchai said.
However, EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen, said the commission has no problem complying with the new charter.
Whatever the new charter throws at the EC, we will deliver, Mr Supachai said.
The EC earlier held an experimental election under the proposed MMP system. Mr Somchai showed a 60cm x 90cm mock ballot paper, which could be even bigger if more candidates apply to contest the next poll under the MMP system with an open list.
But, Mr Supachai said, the EC would proceed with the open-list system if needed.
“I’m sure charter drafters made their proposals in good faith, and believe their suggestions can lead to transparent, fair and honest elections. But they should listen to parties involved,” he said.
The EC has opposed delegating certain duties — such as printing ballots, delivering ballot boxes and sending personnel to supervise voting stations — to the Election Management Committee (EMC), which has yet to be set up, but will comprise seven permanent secretaries.
Mr Somchai argued that giving thepermanent secretaries roles in the election is no guarantee against election malpractice. Some officials involved in the electoral process were vulnerable to manipulation by politicians, he added.
The proposed EMC should be removed from the draft charter, the commissioner added.
CDC member Paiboon Nititawan said almost 50% of the draft charter’s contents could be put up for scrutiny by members of the National Reform Council (NRC).
NRC members have until Monday to book their slots for scrutinising the draft charter, he said, adding at least 150 of the 315 sections in the draft would be reserved for debate.
NRC members should read through the section they want to debate thoroughly, Mr Paiboon said.
Several NRC members have voiced disagreement with key points in the draft. Mr Paiboon said he thought the CDC would make major changes to the draft charter, especially the controversial sections 181 and 182, after listening to the NRC.
Sections 181 and 182 have come under fire for enabling the prime minister to evade a censure debate, and giving him or her too much legislative power.
